Sudan war crimes panel registers 12,400 cases against RSF
July 28, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – A Sudanese committee investigating war crimes said on Sunday it has registered 12,400 cases against members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including the killing of West Darfur’s governor and attacks in other regions.
Governor Khamis Abubakar was killed on June 14, 2023, shortly after being arrested by the RSF, who released a video showing the desecration of his body.
“The committee has registered 12,400 complaints, foremost among them the assassination of West Darfur state governor Khamis Abbakar, against 12 defendants,” Yasir Bukhari, head of the National Committee for War Crimes and Violations, said in a televised statement.
Bukhari who is also Assistant General Attorney said the cases also included events in Zalingei in Central Darfur state, with accusations of infrastructure sabotage, killings, and looting, as well as events in El Geneina that resulted in 5,000 deaths and 8,000 injuries.
The committee has also registered cases related to attacks in Al Jazirah state, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and looting, as well as attacks on the village of Wad Al Noura, which resulted in 227 deaths and 150 injuries, and the village of Sheikh Al Samani in Sennar state, which resulted in the deaths of 21 people and injuries to 15 others.
Bukhari said the committee has filed a lawsuit against an administrative officer who handed over vehicles belonging to the Khartoum locality and 11 billion pounds ($18.7 million) to the RSF.
The lawsuits relate to crimes of murder, forced displacement, looting, rape, sexual violence, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Arrest warrants have been issued against some RSF members while others have been declared fugitives.
80 COURT CASES FILED
Sudan’s national investigative committee has filed 80 court cases against the paramilitary group for alleged violations committed during the ongoing conflict, Bukhari said on Sunday.
Some RSF members have already been convicted, while others have been acquitted, Bukhari added, noting that a verdict is imminent in a case concerning the RSF’s April 13 attack on Merowe Airport, a key trigger for the conflict.
The committee is also pursuing legal action over attacks on civil aviation facilities, including control towers at Khartoum International Airport and other airports across Sudan.
Bukhari accused the RSF of recruiting 6,000 children and releasing over 19,000 prisoners since the conflict began. He estimated losses to the health ministry at $11 billion and industrial sector losses at $50 billion. Damage to media infrastructure and cultural heritage sites has also been extensive.
The national committee comprises representatives from various ministries and the Human Rights Commission. It is tasked with investigating all alleged war crimes, prosecuting perpetrators, and securing compensation for victims.
To expedite legal proceedings, the Attorney General has authorized all prosecutors to accept and register relevant cases regardless of geographical jurisdiction.
(ST)